Comparison of Botu-bov and Tris as Freezing Extenders of Buffalo Sperm Recovered from Epididymal Cauda

Valuable genetic material can be preserved by the cryopreservation of epididymal sperm. This study evaluated the viability of pre-freezing and post-thawed sperm samples recovered from the epididymal cauda of buffaloes. Epididymides from eight Murrah buffaloes with 18 months of age were used. Semen samples were diluted in two different freezing extenders: Botu-bov (BB) and Tris (TRIS). Immediately after slaughter, both testicles from each animal were collected and transported at 4 degrees C for six hours interval. In laboratory, the removed epididymides were flushed to obtain sperm and the fractions were diluted in both freezing extenders (BB and TRIS). Semen doses were analyzed before and after frozen at -196 degrees C. BB and TRIS pre-freezing results were 38.54 +/- 22.33%(b) and 14.17 +/- 12.78%(a) for total motility (TM), 25.00 +/- 16.12(a) and 9.44 +/- 9.11(a) for progressive motility (PM), 7.21 +/- 0.98(a) and 5.09 +/- 2.65(a) for percentage of rapid cells (RAP), 91.08 +/- 12.53(b) and 63.33 +/- 31.47(a) for velocity of trajectory (VAP), 73.54 +/- 20.17(b) and 49.50 +/- 9.11(a) for linear progressive velocity (VSL), 172.21 +/- 24.55(a) and 116.94 +/- 59.48(a) for curvilinear velocity (VCL), respectively (P < 0.05). BB and TRIS post-thawing results were 42.25 +/- 21.50(b) and 17.62 +/- 19.46(a) for TM, 27.25 +/- 24.86(a) and 18.00 +/- 13.68(a) for PM, 7.35 +/- 0.98(a) and 6.26 +/- 1.13(a) for RAP, 91.42 +/- 16.86(a) and 75.96 +/- 13.17(a) for VAP, 67.96 +/- 12.13(a) and 60.04 +/- 10.42(a) for VSL, 177.54 +/- 23.53(b) and 141.29 +/- 24.97a for VCL, respectively (P < 0.05). The sperm recovered from the epididymal cauda, after 6 h storage of epididymides at 5 degrees C ensures sperm preservation demonstrating that the diluent Botu-bov had higher total motility both pre-and post-freezing when compared with TRIS. Additionally, the sperm frozen with the diluent Botu-bov showed higher values of VSL at post-thawing. These findings may reflect in improvement of conception rates.

Adding Motility Stimulants to Improve Freezing of Buffalo Sperm Recovered from Epididymal Cauda

The cryopreservation of epididymal sperm is important to preserve genetic material from valuable buffalo bulls. This study evaluated the viability of post-thawed sperm samples recovered from the epididymal cauda adding motility inductors. For that, were used epididymides from eight Murrah buffaloes with 18 months of age. Semen samples were submitted to three different conditions: (CT - control) without adding medium, (SPERM) adding Sperm Talp medium, and (FERT) adding Fert Talp medium. Immediately after slaughter, both testicles from each animal were collected and transported at 4 degrees C at maximum six hours interval. In laboratory, the removed epididymides was flushed to obtain sperm and diluted in the freezing extender. Each buffalo sperm were divided and fractions were submitted to all conditions (CT, SPERM and FERT). Semen doses were frozen at -196 degrees C. CT, SPERM and FERT post-thawing results were 13.63 +/- 8.91, 38.77 +/- 8.91 and 42.83 +/- 8.91 for total motility, 7.30 +/- 8.74, 24.87 +/- 8.74 and 29.70 +/- 8.74 for progressive motility, 6.04 +/- 0.92, 6.74 +/- 0.92 and 6.93 +/- 0.92 for percentage of rapid cells (P < 0.05). In conclusion, diluted semen supplementation with Sperm or Fert talp increases the motility of cauda epididymal sperm of buffalo bulls.

Expressão e localização de aquaporinas no epidídimo do gerbilo, Meriones unguiculatus, em diferentes fases do desenvolvimento pós-natal

Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane protein channels expressed in a wide variety of cells and tissues that are involved in the transport of water. In the male excurrent duct, the movement of fluid and solutes across the epithelium is essential for establishing the proper luminal environment in which sperm mature and are stored. The initial aim of the present propose is to localize AQP 2 e 9 in epithelium of the initial segment, caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis in Mongolian gerbil during postnatal development (10, 30, 60, 120 and 300 days), observing possible changes in the pattern of expression of the AQPs along the postnatal development. The animals will be killed by inhalation of carbon dioxide. After euthanasia, the epididymis will be removed and the different regions will be isolated. The biological material obtained will be processed in accordance with the routines of histological techniques and imunnohistochemistry to study the expression and localization of the AQPs 2 and 9. The results obtained will be analyzed and photographed in conventional light microscope

Acupuntura na abordagem da Síndrome da Cauda Equina em pequenos animais Trabalho

Nowadays, in any area that acts within the veterinary medicine, we talk a lot of specialists. Specialists in neurology, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, finally, more specialized in a subject, better is the veterinarian. However, on one hand to deepen the knowledge helped in the discovery of new diagnostics and treatments, secondly, a bit lost sight of the patient as a whole. Traditional Chinese medicine, one of whose branches is acupuncture, is aimed at exactly this approach to be fully alive, where all body is interconnected and the disease is not seen as the imbalance of one system, but, as the imbalance between our being and the environment external. Acupuncture is an alternative in the treatment of many diseases, among them Cauda Equina Syndrome, and consists of stimulating specific points on the body surface, which help the body return to its natural harmony. A Cauda Equina Syndrome is a frame subsequent to a neuromuscular spinal cord at the level of the spinal canal of the lower lumbar spine and sacral, whose treatment is almost always surgical. This study aims to show the relevance of acupuncture treatment in this condition and report the importance of the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine nowadays, even when their arms are not in the treatment of choice

Avaliação do potencial tóxico reprodutivo do extrato de Cordia ecalyculata Vell: em ratos Wistar

Pós-graduação em Biociências - FCLAS

Congelação de células espermáticas provenientes de epidídimo de gatos domésticos contendo antioxidante no meio diluidor

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Sexual maturation of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): a histological, hormonal and spermatic evaluation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Investigação do envolvimento de subtipos de adrenoceptores α1 no efeito anti-imobilidade da imipramina no teste de suspensão pela cauda

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Farmacologia) - IBB

Influência da obesidade sobre o tecido ósseo de Rattus novergicus albinus idosos, submetidos à suspensão pela cauda e ao exercício resistido

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Interpreting histopathology in the epididymis

While most of this Special Issue is devoted to the testis (which is where most drug and chemically induced toxicity of the male reproductive tract is identified), being able to recognize and understand the potential effects of toxicants on the epididymis is immensely important and an area that is often overlooked. The epididymis is the organ where the post-testicular sperm differentiation occurs, through a complex and still not completely understood sperm maturation process, allowing them to fertilize the oocyte. Also in the epididymis, sperm are stored until ejaculation, while being protected from immunogenic reaction by a blood-epididymis barrier. From a toxicologic perspective the epididymis is inherently complicated as its structure and function can be altered both indirectly and directly. In this review we will discuss the factors that must be considered when attempting to distinguish between indirect and direct epididymal toxicity and highlight what is currently known about mechanisms of epididymal toxicants, using the rat as a reference model. We identify 2 distinguishable signature lesions - one representing androgen deprivation (secondary to Leydig cell toxicity in the testis) and another representing a direct acting toxicant. Other commonly observed alterations will also be shown and discussed. Finally, we point out that many of the key functions of the epididymis can be altered in the absence of a detectable change in tissue structure. Collectively, we hope this will provide pathologists with increased confidence in identification of epididymal toxicity and enable more informed guidance as mechanism of action is considered.

Immunohistochemical localization of estrogen receptors in adult stallion epididymis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Correlação da circunferência escrotal, citologia testicular e parâmetros do sêmen do epidídimo de touros

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Presumed normal ultrasonographic findings of the testis and epididymis of Botos (Inia Geoffrensis)

Fifteen live adult male botos, or Amazon river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis), were examined using ultrasonography during the yearly capture expedition, between October and November 2005, at the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve, within the Brazilian Amazon (3 degrees S, 65 degrees W). All examinations were performed with a Sonosite 180 plus ultrasound unit in conjunction with a 2- to 5-MHz multifrequency transducer convex array 180 Plus/Elite-C60. Age and maturity estimates were determined considering the body length, weight, and external characteristics. In all examinations, the testes were discerned by the presence of a hyperechoic central line, called the mediastinum testis, a landmark for their identification during ultrasonography. No significant differences in echogenicity were detected on the ultrasonographic appearance of the testes among the studied animals. On adult male botos, apparent parenchymal nodulation of the testis was observed on scanning in most of the animals and probably constituted evidence of reproductive maturity. Using the color Doppler technique, blood flow was detected along the mediastinum testis that progressively decreased toward the periphery of this organ. Little blood flow could be identified by color Doppler. Power Doppler allowed better accuracy to identify testicular vessels, their topography, and their differentiation from adjacent structures. Ultrasonographic examination provides useful data for morphologic characterization of the boto's testes. Examination using Doppler techniques was considered a valuable tool to evidence blood flow through the testicular parenchyma.

Glutamate-induced obesity leads to decreased sperm reserves and acceleration of transit time in the epididymis of adult male rats

Background: Given the established fact that obesity interferes with male reproductive functions, the present study aimed to evaluate sperm production in the testis and storage in the epididymis in a glutamate-induced model of obesity. Methods: Male rats were treated neonatally with monosodium glutamate (MSG) at doses of 4 mg/kg subcutaneously, or with saline solution (control group), on postnatal days 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. On day 120, obesity was confirmed by the Lee index in all MSG-treated rats. After this, all animals from the two experimental groups were anesthetized and killed to evaluate body and reproductive organ weights, sperm parameters, plasma hormone levels (FSH, LH and testosterone), testicular and epididymal histo-morphometry and histopathology. Results: Significant reductions in absolute and relative weights of testis, epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicle were noted in MSG-treated animals. In these same animals plasma testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations were decreased, as well as sperm counts in the testis and epididymis and seminiferous epithelium height and tubular diameter. The sperm transit time was accelerated in obese rats. However, the number of Sertoli cells per seminiferous tubule and stereological findings on the epididymis were not markedly changed by obesity. Conclusions: Neonatal MSG-administered model of obesity lowers sperm production and leads to a reduction in sperm storage in the epididymis of adult male rats. The acceleration of sperm transit time can have implications for the sperm quality of these rats.

Impairment on sperm quality and fertility of adult rats after antiandrogen exposure during prepuberty

This study evaluated the effects of antiandrogen exposure during the prepubertal period on reproductive development and reproductive competence in adults. Male rats were divided into two groups: flutamide, receiving 25 mg/kg/day of flutamide by oral gavage and control, receiving vehicle daily. Dosing continued from PND 21 to 44, and animals were killed on PND 50 or PND 75-80. The epididymis, prostate, vas deferens and seminal vesicle weights were lower in Flutamide group on PND 50, while on PND 80 only seminal vesicle weight was reduced. Fertility assessed by IUI revealed a decrease in the fertility potential in the flutamide-treated adults. Flutamide accelerated sperm transit time through the epididymis, impairing sperm motility and storage. A quantitative analysis of the cauda sperm membrane proteome revealed a few significant changes in protein expression. Thus, exposure to flutamide during the prepubertal period compromises the function of the epididymis along with epididymal sperm quality at adulthood. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.